Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, revealed that he was notified of his new position the night before the public announcement.
According to him, much like the rest of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary Caucus, he had no say whatsoever concerning the decision made and he was surprised by the decision after he was informed in a short face-to-face meeting by the party’s national leadership.
“I was told the night before. It’s a decision that the party had made so they were informing me, not for me to make a choice as to whether I’m going to accept it or not to accept it. But I took it like a call to duty. In fact, it shook me, it took me by surprise. But what I told you earlier is that I adapt so easily and that’s my biggest strength, it doesn’t take me a couple of minutes to adapt.”
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson
Speaking concerning his relationship with the erstwhile Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, the Ajumako-Enyam-Essiam MP stated that working with him had allowed him to excel.
“Let me put it this way, if there is any person in this House who has worked so hard for Haruna Iddrisu and worked for him, I don’t think there will be two people more than me. My loyalty to him is unquestionable. I’ve loved him; in fact, I’m a product of his leadership because he gave me room to work and to excel. It’s not every leader that will give his ranking the opportunity to excel at that magnitude.”
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson
Ato Forson claimed to have worked for Haruna Iddrisu. He said that he went to Haruna every morning at 9am in his office, brief Haruna on daily activities and information at hand and then disperse to the floor of meeting.
According to Dr. Ato Forson, he is honored to have been the one chosen to fill the “very big shoe” of his predecessor. He said while he has “never wished for his job” he takes the appointment as an opportunity to “also step in and to lead the party.”
“So when I was told, my first concern was, is he aware of it and how will he feel? But Haruna Iddrisu knows that I’ve never wished for his job. However, if at a point in time, one person will have to stand up and do something for the Caucus and I happen to be the one, I think it’s an honor for me to step in the very big shoes of my predecessor, Haruna Iddrisu.”
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson
Then again, the minority leader accepted that it a big decision taken by the party which he believes to be right. He raised that the NDC thinks that where they have gotten to, there is a need for a new general who takes them to that kind of war. He said immediately after being informed of the decision, he called Haruna Iddrisu to inform him about it out of respect.
“Haruna has done his part and done it very well, his successes are out there for everybody to see. And clearly, the time has come for a new general to step into the fire. I recognize that and honestly, I take it as an opportunity to also step in and to lead the party.”
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson
No Grudges Against Colleagues
Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson informed the general public that he holds no grudges against members of his party who had opposed his appointment as the leader of the parliamentary caucus.
According to him, taking into consideration his relationship with the erstwhile minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, he would have probably also done same “or even worse.”
“You see we have a leader who is loved by the caucus and his nature is likeable, and I can assure you if I was not the one that this position was offered to probably, then I’m sure, I would have been one of those shouting because of the love we all have for him. So I don’t take it personally, it’s nothing for any of us to get worried about. It shows the love we have for him and how loyal we’re all to him. He’s been in the position for six years, we’re used to him.”
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson
He added that while the change was largely unexpected, caucus members should understand that the mandate is in the hands of the party’s national leadership, and as a result, they control who leads the party in parliament.
“Let’s be aware that the party has the mandate to change leadership because as we say they are the coaches and the coach knows which of the player can play a particular position at a particular point in time, who should captain us to a certain victory and who should be substituted.”
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson
Dr. Ato Forson, however, hypothesized that if any of them was a football fan, they would want someone to be on the field at a particular point in time but the coach with much more experience would substitute him or her due to his experience on the field at hand. So he (Ato Forson), should be seen as a remarkable substitute player who would usher in the golden goal.
The Ajumako-Enyam-Essiam MP, also assured caucus members that he has resolved to engage the national leadership to constitute a new clear framework for parliamentary caucus elections or appointments in order to avoid the scenes that characterized the aftermath of the announcement of his appointment in the future.
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